Another SA Hockey Player Joins Investec Hockey Academy

Another SA Hockey Player Joins Investec Hockey Academy

QUANITA BOBBS JOINS THE ACADEMY

SA hockey player and Cape Town local, Quanita Bobbs (22), has joined the Stellenbosch-leg of the Investec Hockey Academy to teach school girls about the importance of playing sport while, at the same time, aiming to raise the national standard of hockey in the country. Bobbs, along with a number of SA players and coaches, will be using their expertise to provide young players in the Western Cape with mentorship and high performance coaching on 8 and 9 July at Bloemhof Hoër Meisieskool in Stellenbosch.

The star-studded, passionate line-up of coaches participating with Bobbs in July are national players Wade Paton, Lloyd Norris-Jones and Shelley Russell. Alongside them will be national coaches Kurt Serfontein (SA women’s assistant coach) and Lindsey Wright (SA under-21 women’s coach).
Important behind-the-scenes training is also offered in the academy’s courses and experts Ruan Fourie (former Lions and Sharks physiotherapist), Lauren Penny (former national hockey player and psychologist) and Grant van Gelden (vision training expert) will be providing the young players with a better understanding of all the game’s elements. Bobbs is looking forward to getting involved with the Investec Hockey Academy’s courses at Bloemhof Hoër Meisieskool and is passionate about the initiative.

“My teammate and the general manager of the academy, Shelley Russell, told me about the academy and its goals and I have been a keen follower ever since. When I learnt about the Stellenbosch courses, I knew that I wanted to be a part of helping identify and nurture the talent that we have in the Western Cape,” said Bobbs.

The academy offers courses for players at all levels: a Fundamental Players’ course (aged 8 to 11), an Intermediate Players’ course (aged 12 to 15), an Advanced Players’ course (aged 16 to 18) and a Coaches course (all levels).

The former Wynberg Girls’ High student acknowledges that it is not easy to find the right opportunities to get trained and noticed. She believes that when initiatives like the Investec Hockey Academy arrive, players and coaches should make the most of the experience.

“The academy offers the full hockey experience; it provides the opportunity for the academy-goers to expand their hockey ability but also gives them the necessary information to make them a complete player and coach,” says Bobbs. The Strandfontein-local is an all-round sportswoman, having played softball and having participated in athletics and ballet at school. Bobbs attributes her love for sport to her upbringing.

“My whole family is sport inclined which allowed me to have a natural love for sport since I was little. My brother, Shaheem Bobbs, played professional soccer and represented South Africa in the national under-23 team, my mother played netball and my father is also involved in hockey,” said Bobbs.

Bobbs believes that it is important for children to play sport from a young age.
“Sport is good for a child’s overall development; not only keeping them healthy, but also teaching key life skills such as teamwork, self-discipline, goal setting and how to deal with disappointment or setbacks,” says Bobbs.

Bobbs has some advice for young hockey players aspiring to be professionals.
“Find what motivates you, find your why, and let that motivation constantly drive you to success. It is also important to establish a routine and stay humble,” says a passionate Bobbs.

The Stellenbosch B Com student’s motto outlines her attitude towards life and opportunities.